“In response to Your Lordship, this subordinate has already arranged everything regarding Liang City. We’ve found the most experienced midwives, and clean and capable wet nurses have been selected and are waiting there.”

“Mm.” Lu Heng pressed his lips together and said no more.

The attendant silently sighed in his heart. Since ancient times, even heroes cannot overcome the trials of beauty – truly the ancients did not deceive.

Lu Heng calculated the timing of Pang Xiao’s group’s journey and Qin Yining’s due date. At their slow traveling pace, when they reached Liang City, the former border city of Great Yan, it would be just about time for her to give birth. Lu Heng had also arranged for people to follow from a distance along the entire route to ensure nothing went wrong, all because he worried that Qin Yining might be harmed by the bumpy journey.

Though Lu Heng knew that Pang Xiao would prepare everything properly for Qin Yining, his heart still worried. The more he couldn’t obtain something, the more his heart yearned for it. Qin Yining had now become his obsession.

Now he was the Lu family patriarch, the Loyalty Earl valued by the Emperor – but so what? The woman he loved was still in another man’s embrace. What he wanted, he still had to strive and fight for himself.

Though Lu Heng wished nothing more than for Pang Xiao to die in battle in foreign lands, his concern for Qin Yining had never diminished. He had even thought that if someday Pang Xiao died in battle, and if Qin Yining’s child were also gone, she would have no ties left – would his chances then be greater?

But no matter what, he didn’t want to gamble with Qin Yining’s life and safety.

Lu Heng held a breath of resentment in his heart. Every time he recalled the scene of his grandfather’s deathbed, his heart felt cut by knives.

For the chance to stand by her side, he had already disregarded his grandfather’s and family’s wishes. Once entangled in court affairs, it became difficult to extricate himself, but he felt no regret.

In one lifetime, one must strive for what one wants. Regardless of whether it can be obtained, at least he would have no regrets in his heart.

The light snow, floating like willow catkins, became increasingly urgent and dense. The attendant extended an oil-paper umbrella, afraid that Lu Heng would get his hair and clothes wet and catch cold.

But Lu Heng seemed oblivious, completely immersed in his own thoughts.

It wasn’t until they rounded the street corner and passed the Earl’s mansion carriage that he came back to his senses. The servants waiting beside the carriage didn’t dare disturb him, only following behind their group at the attendant’s reminder.

Just as the attendant couldn’t help but want to inquire, Lu Heng suddenly asked, “Where’s the carriage?”

“In response to Your Lordship, the carriage is ready at any time.”

Lu Heng turned back and only then saw the carriage following behind him. After boarding without a word, Lu Heng said, “Send word to the palace. I request an audience with the Emperor.”

Winter journeys were not easy. The north had heavy snow, with the deepest accumulation reaching a foot thick. The wheels made crunching sounds as they rolled over, making progress particularly difficult. At this point, Pang Xiao no longer needed to deliberately slow their pace – the carriage couldn’t pick up speed anyway.

Fortunately, Pang Xiao had prepared thoroughly before departure, so they hadn’t suffered much hardship along the way.

Even so, Pang Xiao still felt heartache for Qin Yining.

Every time he saw Qin Yining sleeping poorly and eating poorly, lying listlessly in the slightly bumpy carriage, lifting a corner of the heavy curtain in that cramped space to look outside, his heart felt like it was being gripped and twisted by a large hand.

“Yining, how do you feel?”

“I’m fine.” Seeing Pang Xiao again wearing that worried expression with his brows nearly knotted together, Qin Yining helplessly extended her slender, jade-white finger to gently touch his brow. “Don’t be so tense. Bingtang just examined me this morning – my body is fine, the pregnancy is stable, and both children are healthy. Besides, haven’t you arranged everything properly? When the time comes, we’ll find a place to stop temporarily and wait until after I give birth before continuing.”

“Yes, I know.” Pang Xiao grasped her hand and reverently kissed it. “I just don’t want you to suffer. But I’m precisely the one causing you to suffer.”

“Don’t say that. Being able to travel with you is much more comfortable than staying in the capital. At least I don’t have to worry and guess about your situation every day, craning my neck waiting for letters that might not come for who knows how long. I don’t have to pretend to be strong when something happens to steady the household.”

Qin Yining leaned against Pang Xiao’s shoulder, her voice very soft: “By your side, I can put down all defenses and pretenses. Even if I’m weak, you’re there to support me.”

Pang Xiao’s heart had already melted completely. His whole person felt like he was soaking in hot springs. Such a wonderful woman was his wife – he felt infinitely fortunate that this woman ultimately belonged to him.

The group traveled through snow. Fortunately, the further south they went, the less snow there was, though the weather became increasingly damp and cold. Thankfully they had prepared thoroughly before departure and weren’t short of money, so aside from slower progress, nothing else was delayed.

After traveling like this for over a month, with New Year approaching, the group finally arrived at Liang City.

By now it was nearly full term. Bingtang stayed by Qin Yining’s side all day observing her symptoms. Only when the group rented a single-courtyard residence in Liang City and settled in did Bingtang secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

What she had worried about was Qin Yining going into labor on the road. No matter how well prepared they were, it wouldn’t have been convenient on the journey. At least now they had lodging. As soon as they got off the carriage, Bingtang took the accompanying midwives and experienced nannies to prepare the birthing room for immediate use.

Qin Yining was carried directly into the bedroom by Pang Xiao.

The room had underfloor heating, but having just been lit, the room hadn’t completely warmed up yet.

Qin Yining was somewhat fatigued. Approaching her due date, various changes and discomforts had made her quite worried, but she didn’t want Pang Xiao to worry and feel guilty, so most of the time she didn’t show it.

Now, finally reaching Liang City and settling down at this time, Qin Yining also felt relieved, and even her mood relaxed considerably.

“We’re also fortunate. I thought we’d have to stay at an inn.” Qin Yining smiled.

Seeing her smile, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but smile along. “I initially thought the same – to book a courtyard at an inn. But just as I had Huzi scout ahead, we first found this residence that happened to be for rent. Though the house isn’t large, it’s sufficient for our group, and everything in the house is ready-made – we could move in immediately upon arrival.”

“How could it be such a coincidence that there was a house available right when we came?”

“I also found it strange, but Huzi investigated. This family’s elderly couple was taken in by their daughter, leaving the house empty, so they’re renting it out. Rest assured, it’s very safe here.” Pang Xiao crouched beside Qin Yining’s bed, asking with some concern: “How do you feel? I think your complexion doesn’t look good.”

“I’m fine.” Qin Yining smiled. “I’m just a bit tired. I want to sleep for a while.”

“Good, sleep quickly. I’ll stay right here watching over you.” Pang Xiao covered Qin Yining with the quilt, then lay on his side beside her, supporting his head with his hand, staring intently at her sleeping face.

But Qin Yining slept very restlessly.

She had a dream.

In the dream was a completely unfamiliar room. She seemed to have fallen ill, lying on the bed barely alive with someone beside her holding her hand and silently weeping.

She seemed to truly feel the torment of illness, and could feel the person beside her shedding scalding tears that dripped onto her hand, gradually turning cold.

Then, she heard a long buzzing sound. It seemed like tinnitus, causing her to suddenly open her eyes.

“What’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?” The moment Qin Yining’s breathing became rapid and she suddenly awoke, Pang Xiao propped up half his body, looking at her with concern. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.” Qin Yining was still shaken, her mind filled with that dream just now. That emotion of impending separation was like a thread, tugging at her spirit, making her unable to ignore it.

What was this inexplicable sadness and regret in her heart?

“Yining? Are you uncomfortable? Don’t endure it if you’re uncomfortable – tell me immediately.” Pang Xiao gestured with his head, and Ji Yun immediately ran to the birthing room to find Bingtang.

Qin Yining was pulled back to her senses by Pang Xiao’s voice, finally recovering some composure and smiled: “I’m really fine.”

However, just as she finished speaking, as if to contradict her, Qin Yining felt a sharp pain in her abdomen that made her face change dramatically.

“What’s wrong!” Pang Xiao’s voice couldn’t help but rise, anxiously turning to shout, “Bingtang!”

“Coming, coming!”

Bingtang was pulled in quickly by Ji Yun. She sat on the bed edge to examine Qin Yining, then said seriously: “Your Highness, let’s move her to the birthing room first.”

“Good, good.” Pang Xiao was already panicking. He didn’t understand women’s childbirth matters, so naturally he listened to whatever Bingtang said. He immediately picked up Qin Yining, let Bingtang wrap her in a thick blanket, and strode toward the side room serving as the birthing chamber.

Bingtang told Ji Yun and Qian Yun: “Go have them boil hot water and prepare a large bowl of egg custard.”

They knew about boiling water, but what was the egg custard for?

As if seeing through Ji Yun and Qian Yun’s confusion, Bingtang said: “How can there be strength without eating? Red sugar egg custard – start with ten eggs.”

Qian Yun and Ji Yun nodded repeatedly and ran off.

Qin Yining had now been placed on the birthing bed. After enduring a wave of abdominal pain, her face was as pale as paper, but she still didn’t forget to urge Pang Xiao: “Go out quickly. This isn’t a place for you.”

“No, I’ll stay right here watching over you.” Pang Xiao refused to leave no matter what, crouching beside her and gripping Qin Yining’s sweat-dampened hand. “Don’t be afraid, Yining, don’t be afraid. I’m here with you.”

Qin Yining endured the pain, saying with mixed tears and laughter: “With you here, the nannies can’t work properly. Besides, the birthing room is inauspicious – you can’t stay here. Go back quickly. This house is only so big anyway – you’ll hear any movement.”

“Yes, Your Highness, please go out quickly and don’t cause trouble here!” Bingtang unceremoniously shooed him away.

Pang Xiao’s presence was too imposing. Standing in the room like a pillar, the midwives were so frightened their hands trembled – how could they deliver the baby like this?

Seeing this, Pang Xiao feared making Qin Yining unhappy, so he had to nod and go out. But he only stood in the corridor, pressing his ear against the tightly closed door to listen to the sounds inside.

With Qin Yining going into labor, everyone traveling together was staying in this single residence – how could they not know?

Huzi, being close to Pang Xiao, immediately came over to ask: “Your Highness, should we prepare herbs and such? Are the midwives we brought sufficient?”